Weighing-machine



No. 6|6,863. Patented Dec. 27,1898. F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHIHG MACHINE.

(Application med Dec. 15, 1897.5

5 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

N0. 6|6,863. Patented D86. 277 |898. F. H mcHAnns- WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Applicatiun led Dec. 15, 1897A 5 Sheets-$heet 2.

(No Model.)

M warms PETERS co.. PHoTovuTNO., wAsmNeTom D. c.

No.` 6|6.863. Patentd Dec. 27, |898. F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE. Applicaznm med nec. 15, 1897 (No Model.) 5Sheets-Sheet'3.

50 5 l :njl 1 Wi 72 eases.'

TH: Nonms ras-rens co. Pwooumu wAsHlNawN, o. c,

No. 6|6,863. Patented Dec. 27, |898.; F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 15, 1897.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

me Norms PETERS co, Puom.u'mc wAsHwonm. u c.

Patented Dec. 27, |898.

No. 6|s,a63.

F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

' (Appumion med pag.15, 1897.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Wneses ma mums PET UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

4FRANCIS II. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

WEIGHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,863, dated December27, 1898.

Application filed December 15, 189 7. Serial No. 662,050. (No modelo" Toall whom t may con/cern:

Beit known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at IIartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVVeighing-Machines, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to weighingmachines for automatically weighingand delivering various kinds of materials.

The invention includes as .one of its features and in connection withstream-supplying means a pivotallysuspended streamcontroller adapted toswing back and forth below the discharge end of said stream-supplyingmeans, a series of electrical devices adapted one to advance thestream-controller and the other to retract said stream-controller, andmeans preferably controlled by the weighing mechanism for successivelyenergizing said electrical devices, so as to secure the proper operationof the stream-controller, and said electrical devices may consist ofsolenoids in circuit with a suitable source of electric energy, thecircuit being preferably controlled by the scale beam. Thisstream-controller consists, preferably, of a combined valve andforce-feeder mounted for oscillation, mechanism being employed foreffecting the movement of the working face of the force-feeder indifferent paths during the `advancing movement of said stream-controller, the force-feeder being adapted when operated in onedirect-ion to assist in furnishing the supply and when operated in theopposite direction during the final movement of the stream-controller tohold back the material, thereby to prevent overloading of theweighing-machine.

Another feature of the invention resides, in connection with weighingmechanism involving a load-receiver, in means including a latch forgoverning the discharge of the loadreceiver, a regulator supportedindependent of the weighing mechanism and shiftable by the loadsintermittently discharged from said load-receiver, the latter beingpreferably of the oscillatory double-chamber type, an electric circuitinvolving a latch-operating device, and circuit-controlling meansoperative with the regulator.

The load-receiver carries a plurality of circuit-controlling deviceseach adapted when said load-receiver is in its respective shiftedpositions to be brought into circuit with the latch operating device,the circuit being further controlled by the regulator or regu laters, sothat when the load-receiver is in one 0f its shifted positions and whena corresponding regulator is in its primary position the latch-operatingdevice can be energized.

To prevent the oscillation of the load-receiver and the consequentdischarge of a load except at the proper stage, a stop of suitable kindis provided to hold the latch against load-reducing movement forapredetermined time and while the latch-operating device is energized andsaid stop is preferably controlled by Weighing mechanism, so that whenlreleased the latch becomes effective to release the load-receiver tocause the discharge of the load. v

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specication,Figure l is a front elevation of a weighing-machine embodying my presentimprovements. Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations of the machine, showingthe full and drip supply, respectively, flowing into one of thecompartments of the load-receiver, the closer for the oppositecompartment being wide open in both of said views. Fig. l is a similarview showing the stream-controller having stopped the supply to theright-hand compartment and the positions occupied by the different partsat the instant before the load-receiver tilts to discharge suchcompartment, and Fig. 5 is a like view showing the right-handcompartment discharging its load and the full volume of the supplyentering the left-hand compartment of the load-receiver.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures ofthedrawings.

The framework for supporting the different parts of the machine consistsin the present case of the chambered base or bed 2, incasing thedischarge-hopper Il, and the side frames 3 and 4, mounted upon the baseand curved at their upper ends and fixed to the supply hopper or spoutIl, constituting a convenient means for delivering a stream of materialto the load-receiver of the weighing mechanism.

The weighing mechanism includes a load- IOO receiver and asupporting-beam therefor, the load-receiver consisting in the presentcase of an oscillatorybucket G, having two chambers or compartments andG, in which loads are alternately built up.

The load-receiver G carries,in suitable bearings and belowits center ofgravity, the transverse shaft 7, whose opposite extremities are fixed inthe lower ends of the hangers 8 and 9, depending from the usual arms ofthe scalebeam B, fulcrumed, as at 10, upon the framework, and thecounterweighted beam being designated by lV and resting normally uponthe stops 10', extending rearward from the framework of the machine.

The load-receiver is held in position to receive a supply of materialalternately in its respective compartments by means, such as agravity-latch D, pivoted at 12 to the hanger S and adapted alternatelyto engage the catches 13 and 1i, respectivelysituated above the center'of gravity of the load-receiver and at opposite sides of a vertical lineintersecting said center.

In Fig. -i the compartment G of the load-receiver is shown havingreceived a load, the latch D being nearly tripped. Then the latch isfully released from the offset 14, the weight of the load in thechamberor compartment G will cause the load-receiver to tilt to theright, thereby to effect the discharge of the load, the release of theload being secured by the opening of a closer covering the usualdischarge-outlet.

A plurality of closers, such as L and Il, are provided, they beingpivoted, as at 15 and 1G, respectively, to the load-receiver and adaptedto cover the outlets of the discharge-spouts 17 and 1S, respectively, atthe lower end of the load-receiver, the lower walls of the spoutextending oppositely, so as to deliver the material against theolmositely-inclined walls 19 and 20, respectively, of thedischarge-hopper H. The closers are held shut by gravitylatches 21 and22, respectivelyadapted to engage the catches 23 and 2i, respectively,upon the closers L and L'.

The trippers for the latches are designated by T and T', and they arefixed upon the framework, each consisting of a short post disposed inthe path of its cooperating latch.

The latch 21 has a pin 21, and the latch has a pin 22', adapted, on theoscillation of the load-receiver, one pin to strike the tripper T andthe other pin to strike lthe tripper T, thereby to disengage the latchesfrom the catches 23 and Z-i, respectively, on the two closers. Then alatch is tripped, the weight of the load in the compartment can force acloser open to cause the discharge of said load.

Vhile l have represented a hopper for alternately supplying' a stream ofmaterial to the respective compartments of a load-receiver as saidcompartments are brought into line with the stream, it is obvious thatother means could be substituted therefor without departure from thescope of the invention.

The stream-controller is designated by S, and it is in the nature of acombined valve and force-feeder suspended for oscillation and adapted toswing below the discharge end of the hopper Il to control thesupply-stream. The stream-controller S involves a frame, as f, composedof two inverted-T-shaped sections and 31, fixed to and depending fromthe transverse rock-shaft 32, carried by suitable bearings on the frontside of the hopper. The frame f constitutes a carrier for the combinedvalve and force-feeder and includes in its construction an endlessfeed-belt 53, carried around the supporting-rolls S-i and 35,respectively, whose shafts are journaled in the opposite ends of theinverted-T-shaped frame-sections SO and 3i, respectively.

The endless feeder 33 is swung under the outlet of the spout or hopper Hby suitable means to reduce the volume of the supplystream andsubsequently to cut off said stream and to assist in feeding thematerial into the load-receiver. The upper run of the endless feeder isdriven forwardly or in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, so as toforce the material into the load-receiver; but on the final movement ofthe valve the motion of said belt is reversed, so that itV serves tohold back the material adjacent to its discharge edge to prevent saidmaterial entering the loaded receiver.

The means shown for effecting the working movement of the feed -belt 33consists of worm-gearin g driven from the electromotor M, of ordinaryconstruction, connected by wires and i1 with a generator. (Not shown.)The worm-shaft 43 is driven from the motor M, and it is sustained bysuitable bearings upon the framing of the machine, the worm 4i on saidshaft meshing with a worm-gear 15, fixed to the shaft of the feeder-roll35.

In Fig. 2 the stream-controller S is shown in its retracted position,during which time the upper run is'advanced in the direction of thearrow to aid the feed of the material passing from the hopper H, saidfeeder being operated by the motor M, working through the intermediategearing described. At a predetermined point the feed-belt is thrown outof action relatively to the primary driver or motor M and is advanced bysuitable means, and as it advances the movement of the upper run of thefeeder is reversed as the worm 45 is carried upon a stationary support.The final movement of the stream-controller is an accelerated one, andas it moves toward the end of its working stroke the upper run of thefeeder, through the gear, as just speciiied, will be moved rapidlyrearward to prevent the material at the delivery end of the feeder fromentering the loaded load-receiver.

The stream-controller is operated in opposite directions by a pluralityof electrical devices, such as solenoids S and S, respectively iixedupon the hopper 1I adjacent to said stream-controller and located atopposite sides of its axis. The solenoid S, when IOO IIO

IIS

energized, serves to advance or close the stream-controller, and thesolenoid S, when energized, serves to retract or open saidstream-controller, and said solenoids are preferably successivelyenergized by means controlled by weighing mechanism, the circuit inwhich they are located being preferably closed by a circuit-controlleroperative with the scale-beam B. The core of the solenoid S is pivoted,as at 46, to the upper end of Jthe frame-section 30, the core 47 of thesolenoid S" being rigid with said frame-section. The wire 50 leads froma source of energy or battery E to the solenoid S, a second Wire 5lbeing connected with said solenoid and with the spring contact-arm 52,extending rearward from the frame 3. The contact-arm 52 coperates withthe contact53, fixed to and insulated from the beam-weight NV, saidcontact-piece 53 being connected by the wire 54 with the contact-piece55, 'fixed to the support l0' and being also connected by the wire 56with the battery E. The solenoid S is connected by the wire 57 with thewire 50 and also by the Wire 58 with the contact-piece 59 on the underside of the beam-Weight W.

At the commencement of operation, as shown in Fig. 2, the circuit inwhich the stream-controller-retracting solenoid S is located isestablished as follows: from the battery E to the Wire 50, wire 57 andsolenoid S", from solenoid S to wire 58, to contact-piece 59,contact-piece to wire 54, and wire 56 to battery E. The circuit beingcompleted the, solenoid S" is energized and is adapted to hold thestream-controller open, so that the full volume of the supply can enterthe empty compartment G of the loadreceiver. When the majorpart of theload'has been received, the weight W will be elevated, and as soon asthe contact-piece 59 is raised from the cooperating contact-piece 55 thecircuit in which the solenoid S" is located is broken, thereby permitting the valve to be advanced to the position in which it is shown in Fig.3 by the weight 60, secured to the arm 6l, extending rearward from theshaft 32, so as to permit a reduced stream to enter the loadreceiver. Asthe drip-stream iiows into the load-receiver said load-receiver willfarther descend, thereby lifting the weight XV until, when the load iscompleted, the contact-piece 53 on said weight strikes the springcontactarm 52, thereby completing the circuit in which the solenoid S islocated, as follows: from the battery E to the wire 50, solenoid S, wire5l, to contact-arm 52, to contactpiece 53, to-wire 54, to wire 56, andthen to battery E. As soon as the solenoid S is eni ergized the core .45will be drawn inward, and

said core being connected with the streamcontroller the feed -belt willbe rapidly swung under the discharge end of the supplyhopper Il toarrest the supply and to prevent the material adjacent the delivery endof the belt from entering the loaded compartment,

and the movement of the upper run on said belt will be reversed duringthe iinal stroke of the stream-controller. This effect I secure bythrowing the worm 44 out of operative relation with the motor M, andsaid worm being stationary the worm-gear 45 will be rotated in adirection reverse to that followed on the initial movement of thestream-controller, so that the upper run of the feed-belt 33 will bedriven rearward.

The shaft 43 carries a clutch, as C, of ordinary construction which isoperated from the stream-controller S to throw the feeder 33 out ofaction with relation to its driving mechanism at a predetermined pointin the advancing movement of the stream-controller.

rlhe clutch member 65 receives in the usual peripheral groove the working end of the shipping-lever G6, pivoted at G7 on the framework, theopposite end of said lever being pivoted, as at 68, to the link G9,having at its other extremity the loop 70, embracing the stud 7l on thestream-controller frame f'.

At the commencement of the operation the stud 7l will be against theinner end of the loop 70, the two members of the clutch C being inengagement, so that the upper run of the feed-belt is driven forward toassist the feed of material. On the initial movement of thestream-controller, or until it reaches the position represented in Fig.3, the stud 7l will strike against the outer end of the loop 70, and onthe final movement of said streameontroller the link 69 will be drawn tothe left, so that the lever 66 can move the clutch member 65 out ofengagement with its companion member (35, thereby to stop the forwardmovement of the feed-belt, and when the clutch members have beenuncoupled the direction of movement of the upper run of the feed-beltwill be reversed, as hereinbefore specified. Subsequent Y to this periodthe latch D will be raised to permit the load-receiver to tilt anddischarge its contents, and when a load is being discharged theload-receiver will be returned to its uppermost position by the fallingbeam-weight WV, which when it strikes its support 10 will establish acircuit, as hereinbefore specified, to energize the solenoid S, so as toretract the streamcontroller S and at the same time drive the feed-belt33 forward. The latch D is tripped by the solenoid S, the core 7 2,which has an annular shoulder 73 to hold it in place, and the upper endof said core cooperates with the free end of the latch, so as to raisesaid latch and thereby disengage it from one or the other of the offsets13 and 14 to permit the load-receiver to tilt when one of thecompartments thereof is loaded.

The energization of the latch-tripping solenoid S" is secured by thesimultaneous closing of the circuit in which said solenoid is located bycircuit-controlling means on the load-receiver and regulator mechanism,respectively, said regulator mechanism includ- IOO IIO

ing a pair of regulators shiftable alternately by the loads dischargedfrom the compartments 5 and 6.

The load-receiver carries below its center "of movement the springcircuit-m alters and S1, electrically connected with the battery E andadapted alternately to engage with the contact-pieces S2 and 83,respectively fixed to the base 2 and insulated from each other, thecontact-maker 80 being connected with the solenoid S" by the wire S4 andthe wire S5 being connected with the contact-maker S1 and the wire S4.The solenoid S" is also connected by the wire 86 with the wire 56,which, it will be remembered, is connected directly with the battery E.The contactpiece S2 is connected with the contact-piece S7, secured inand insulated from the base 2 by the wire 88, the companion contactpiecebeing connected by the wire 89 to the contact-piece 90, also securedwithin the base and insulated therefrom and also from the contact-pieceS7. A third contact-piece is shown at 91, intermediate and insulatedfrom the contact-pieces 87 and 90, the middle one being connected by thewire 92 to the wire 50, which, it will be understood, is directlyconnected to the battery.

The contact-pieces S7 and 91 or 90 and 91 are alternately bridged by thecircuit-closers 95 and 96, respectively operative with the regulators Rand R', said regulators being fixed to the shafts 97 and 98, supportedwithin the base 3, and said circuit-makers being secured, respectively,to the regulator-shafts. The two regulators R and R when in theirprimary positions iit against the oppositelyinclined walls 19 and 20 ofthe discharge-hopper H', at which time the circuit-closer 95 bridges thecontacts S7 and 91, while the circuit-closer 96 bridges the contacts 90and 91,1espectively,as shown in Fig.4. When the regulators are in theirprimary positions stated, they form in the base with the hopper-walls 19and 20, respectively, pockets into which the loads from the twocompartments 5 and 6 of the load-receivers can be alternately dischargedto shift one or thc other of said regulators. When a regulator isshifted, its cooperating circuit-closer 95 or 96 thereof is moved fromthe cooperating contact-pieces, thereby to break the solenoid-circuit,so that the core 72 of the solenoid, and consequently the latch D, candrop.

For the purpose of holding the regulators in their shifted positionsfora comparatively long period each is equipped with an angular blade,(designated, respectively, by 99 and 100,) against which the materialafter it passes from the regulator is adapted to act, as indicated inFig. 3. Just before the discharge of a load from one of the compartmentsof the load-receiver G the circuit-makers 95 and 96, respectively, willbe in contact with the contacts S7 and 91 and 90 and 91, respectively,as represented in Fig. 4, and one of the circuit-closers 80 and 81 willbe in contact with a cooperating contact-piece S2 or 83.

In Fig. 4 the circuit-maker S0 is against the contact-piece 82, so thatthe solenoid S" is energized as follows: from the battery E, wire 50,wire 92, contact-piece 91, circuitmaker 95, contact-piece S7, wire 8S,contactpiece S2, circuit-maker S0, wire S4, solenoid S", wire S6, andwire 56 to battery E, and when said solenoid is energized the core 72thereof is raised, thereby to operate the latch D; but to prevent thecomplete disengagement of the latch from the offset until the load iscompleted in the compartment 6 a stop operative, preferably, with theweighing mechanism is provided, said stop consisting in the present caseof the curved arm 101, fixed to and depending from the scale-beam B at apoint a short distance to the rear of the axis of said beam.

During the greater period of the loading operation the stop 101 will bedisposed in the path of the latch D, so that in case the solenoid isenergized the latch cannot be raised suicientlyhigh to release thepartially-loaded load-receiver or until the working end of the stop 101has crossed the path of oscillation of the latch D. When this actiontakes place, however, the solenoid S"' being energized, the latch willbe promptly raised out of contact with one olf the offsets 13 and 14, soas to permit the load-receiver to tilt to bring the empty compartmentinto position to receive the supply-stream.

In Fig. 4 the load in the compartment 6 of the load-receiver iscompleted, the said loadreceiver and the poising end of the beam Bdescending so that the stop 101 will be caused to cross the path ofoscillation of the latch D, at which time the said latch is raised, andthe weight of the load in the compartment 6 will cause the load-receiverto tilt, thereby moving the circuit-closer SO out of contact with thecontact-piece S2 and the circuit-closer S1 into contact with thecontact-piece S3, as represented in Fig. 5, and during the oscillationof the load-receiver the closer-holding latch 24 is tripped, ashereinbefore specified, to permit the closer L to open, the contents ofthe compartment 6 being discharged against the regulator R to shift thesame, thereby forcing the circuit-maker 96 out of contact with thecontact-points 90 and 91, so as to break the latch-trippin gsolenoid-circuit, and thereby to permit the core 72 to drop, andconsequently cause the latch D to engage the offset 13.

In connection with the closers L and L', l provide blocking devicesoperated by the regulators R and R and thrown into position alternatelyby the coperatin g regulators to block the proper closers. Thecloser-blocking devices are designated, respectively, by K and K', andeach consists of au angular lever pivoted, as at and 110', to theopposite sides of the supporting-base 2,

and

each lever has an angular extension or arm 112, connected by the swivels113 and 113' with the short links 114 and 111', said links beinglikewise connected at their lower ends with similar swivels 115 and115', connected with the arms 11G and 11G' of the two anglelevers A andA', pivoted upon the base, the other arms 117 and 117' of saidangle-levers being pivoted to the links 118 and 118', which are jointedto the crank-arms 119 and 119' upon the regulator-shafts 97 and 9S,respectively. l

Each of the closer-blocking devices has a stop or transverse head(designated, respectively, by 120 and 120') shiftable into the path ofthe closer-actuating weights 130 and 130', so as to hold the properclosers open for a sufficient length of time to insure the completedischarge of a load.

Just prior to the discharge of a load the stop 120 will occupy theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. On the discharge of f the loadthe regulator will be thrown down and the stop 120, through theintermediate connections', will be moved upward into engagement with thecloser-actuating weight 130, and the parts will remain in such positionso long as the regulator is shifted, thereby to hold the closer L openuntil the complete load is discharged. l/Vhen the regulator assumes itsnormal position, the stop 120 will be also below the path of the actuatin g-weight 130, so that said weight can drop to effect the shuttingof the closer L, the closer being latchcd in its shut position by thelatch 21 when the empty load-receiver has reached a predetermined pointin its ascent. The same operation will follow with respect to theregulator R and closer-blocking device K' on the discharge of a loadfrom the chamber 6.

The regulators are provided with weights 150 and 150', respectivelyfixed to the crankarms 151 and 151' on the shafts 97 and 98, saidweights servin g to return the regulators, and consequently the stops120 and 120', to their primary positions.

I mount upon the load-receiver at a convenient place the register X,having the usual actuator 140, to which the toggle-link 141 isconnected, the other link 142 of the toggle being pivoted to theload-receiver. The toggle is connected with the hanger 8 by the link111-3, pivoted, respectively, to said parts, so that as the bucketoscill'ates the register X, through the link 143 and toggle, will beoperated.

The operation of the hereinbefore-described machine is as follows: InFig. 2 the full volume of the supply-stream is flowing from the hopper Hinto the empty compartment 6 of the load-receiver, the beam-weight 1Vresting on its support, so as to energize the solenoid S'l in the mannerhereinbefore specified and yhold the stream-controller S in itsretracted position, and when said stream-controller is in such positionthe motor M will serve, through the intermediate instrumentalities, todrive the upper lrun of the feed-belt 33 forward. Then the greater partof the load has been delivered to the compartment G, the weight W willbe raised, thereby breaking the circuit in which the solenoid S" islocated and permitting the weight to advance the streamcontroller ashort distance or to the position shownin Fig. 2, during which motionthe feedbelt 33 is thrown out of action with relation to its motor, ashereinbefore specified. Then the stream-controller is in the positionshown in Fig. 3, a reduced stream will enter the compartment to completethe partial load, and on the completion of the load the contactpiece 53on the beam-weight will strike the spring contact-piece 52 on theframing, thereby causing the energization of the solenoid S', so as toimpart an accelerated advancing movement to the stream-controller S, thedirection of movement of the feed-belt 33 being reversed on the finaloperation of said streamcontroller.

In Fig. 1 the load is shown completed, at which time the circuit inwhich the latch-tripping solenoid S"' is included is closed, so thatsaid solenoid is energized to lift the latch D and disengage said latchfrom the offset 14 on the load-receiver when the stop 101 on thescale-beam crosses the arc of oscillation of said latch, at which timethe latch is raised clear of the offset 14, so that the load in thecompartment 6 will cause the load-receiver to tilt to the right, therebycarrying the latchpin 22 against the fixed tripper T', so as to releasethe closer L', as shown in Fig. 5, thereby discharging the contents fromthel compartment G against the regulator R', which is shifted to breakthe latch-tripping solenoidcircuit, so that the latch can drop to engagethe offset 13, as shown in Fig. 5. Then the rbeam-weight W reaches itsnormal position,

(shown in Fig. 2,) the solenoid S" will be energized, as hereinbeforeset forth, to retract the stream-controller, after which the operationisrepeated, the loads from the compartments being alternatelydischarged.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination,withstream-supplying means, of an oscillatory stream controller adapted toswing back and forth below the discharge end of said stream-supplyingmeans; a series of electrical devices adapted respectively to advanceand to retract said streamcontroller; means forsuccessively energizingsaid electrical devices; and means for operating the stream-controllerduring its advancing movement independent of said electrical devices toloosen up the material thereon thereby to effect a free feed of saidmaterial.

2. The combination,witl1 stream-supplying means, of an oscillatorystream controller adapted to swing back and forth below the dischargeend of said stream-supplying means; a series of electrical devicesadapted respectively to advance and to retract said streamcontroller; anelectric motor adapted to operate a part of the stream-controllerthereby y IOO ITO

to effect a free feed of the material thereon; and means for throwingthe stream-controller out ofoperative relation with the electric motorwhen said stream-controller is near the limit of its advancing movement.

The combination,with stream-supplying means, of a pivotally-suspendedstream-controller adapted to swing back and forth below the dischargeend of said stream-supplying means and including a force-feeder; aseries of electrical devices adapted respectively to advance and retractsaid stream-controller; means includinga motor mounted independently ofthe stream-controller for operating the force-feeder thereof; means forsuecessively energizing said electrical devices; and means for throwingthe force-feeder out of operative relation with the motor when thestream-controller is near the end of its advancing movement.

The combinatioinwith stream-supplying means, of an oscillatorystreamcontroller adapted to swing back and forth below the discharge endof said stream-supplying means and including a force-feeder; a series ofelectrical devices adapted respectively to advance and to retract saidstream-controller; means for successively energizing said electricaldevices; and instrumentalities controlled bythe action of thestream-controller for operating the force-feeder in reverse directionsduring the advancing movement of the stream-controller.

5. The combinatioinwith stream-supplying means, of an oscillatory streamcontroller adapted to swing back and forth below the discharge end ofsaid stream-supplying means and including a force-feeder; a series ofelectrical devices adapted respectively to advance and retract saidstream-controller; means for successively energizing thestreamcontroller actuating devices; driving mechanism for theforce-feeder involving a clutch; and a clutchoperating device connectedwith, and actuated by, the stream-controller.

(i. The combination, with stream-supplying means, of apivotally-suspended stream-controller adapted to swing back and forthbelow the discharge end of said stream-supplyingmeans; a series ofelectrical devices adapted one to advance the stream-controller and theother to retract said stream-controller; means for successivelyenergizing said electrical devices; and a device independent of theelectrical devices for also advancing said stream-controller.

7. rlhe combination, with stream-supplying means, of an oscillatorystream-controller including a force-feeder; a gear carried by thestream-controller; a cooperating gear on the framework; a motor fordriving said lastmentioned 0ear; means for advancing thestream-controller; and means for throwing the motor eut of operativerelation with the gear on the framework during the advancing movement ofthe stream-controller.

' S. Thecombi11ation,with stream-su pplyin g means, of an oscillatorystream-controller in cluding a force-feeder; a gear carried by thestream-controller; a cooperating gear on the framework; a motor fordriving said lastmentioned gear; means for advancing thestream-controller; and means coactive with the stream-controller forthrowing the motor out of operative relation with the gear on theframework during the advancing movement of the stream-controller.

9. The combination, with stream-supplying means, of a stream-controllerincluding a force feeder; means for advancing said stream controller;mechanism including meshing gearing for operating the forcefeeder, oneof the members ofthe gearing being mounted on the framework; a motor fordriving the gearing; a clutch between the gearing and the motor andcooperative with said parts; and means connected with thestream-controller for uncoupling the parts of the clutch at apredetermined point in the ad vancing movement of the stream-controller.

l0. The combination, with streamsupply ing means, of astream-controllerincludin ga force-feeder; two independent electricaldevices serving respectively to advance and to retract thestream-controller; means for successively energizing said electricaldevices; driving mechanism for the foreeefeeder including a clutch; andmeans connected with the stream controller for uncoupling the clutchparts at a predetermined point in the advancing movement thereof.

ll. The combination, with stream-supplying means, of an oscillatorystream-controller including a force-feeder; a worm-gear carried by thestream-controller; a worm on the framework, for operating saidworm-gear; a motor for driving the worm; means for advancing saidstream-controller; and means for throwing the worm out of operativerelation with the motor during the advancing movement of thestream-controller.

l2. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of means involving a latch for governing the discharge of theload-receiver; a regulator supported independently of the weighingmechanism and shiftable by the load; an electric circuit including alatch-operating device; and circuit controlling means operative,respectively, with the load-receiver and with the regulator.

13. The combination, with weighing mech'- anism including an oscillatoryload-receiver, of means involving a latch for holding the load-receiverin its load-receiving position; a regulator shiftable by the load; anelectric circuit involving a latch-operating device; circuit-makerscarried by the load-receiver and circuitcontrolling means operative withthe regulator.

la. The combination, with weighing mechanism consisting of a scale-beamand a loadreceiver, of means involving a latch for governing thedischarge of the load-receiver; a

TOF*

regulator supported independently of the weighing mechanism andshiftable by the load; an electric circuit involving a latchoperatingdevice; circuit-controlling means operative with the regulator; and astop on the scale-beam for normally holding the said latch.

l5. The combination, with a load-receiver, of a supporting scale-beamfor the load-receiver; means involving a latch for governing thedischarge of the load-receiver; a regulator supported independently ofthe load-receiver and shiftable by the load; an electric circuitinvolving a latch-operating device; means operative with the regulatorfor closing said circuit; and a stop on the beam, for normally holdingthe latch against action.

1G. The combination, with Weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of means involving a latch for governing the discharge of theload-receiver; an electric circuit involving a latch-operating device;circuit-closing means; and a device operative with the weighingmechanism for holding the latch against load-releasing movement for apredetermined time and While the electric latchoperating device isenergized.

17. The combination, with Weighing mechanism including an oscillatoryload-receiver having a plurality of compartments, of a series ofregulators shiftable by loads discharged from the respectivecompartments; streamsupplying means; a latch adapted to hold theload-receiverin position to receive the supplystream in its respectivecompartments; an electrical latch-tripping device; a series ofcircuit-makers fixed to the load-receiver; circuit-makers operative withthe regulators; and means operative with the weighin g mechanism forcontrolling the latch.

1S. The combination, with a scale-beam, of an oscillatory load-receivercarried byhangers suspended from said scale-beam to hold theload-receiver in position alternately to receive a load of material; aplurality of regulators shiftable alternately by the loads dischargedfrom said load-receiver; a latch-tripping solenoid; circuit-making meansoperative, respectively, with the load-receiver and with the regulators;and a stop on the scale-beam, for holding the latch against movement fora predetermined length of time and while said solenoid is energized.

10. The combination, with a scale-beam, of an oscillatory load-receiver;hangers for the load-receiver; a register carried by the latter andhaving an actuator; a toggle the members of which are pivoted,respectively, to the register-actuator and to the load-receiver; and alink connecting the toggle with a hanger.

20. rllhe combination, with Weighing mechanism including aload-receiver, of a closer for said load-receiver; an actuator forshutting the closer; a regulator shiftable successively by the loadsdischarged; and a closerblochin device operated by the regulator andthrown into working position to engage the closer-shuttin g actuator onthe shiftin g movement of the regulator.

2l. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a closer pivoted to the load-receiver and having a counterweightedactuator for shutting the same; a regulator shittable successively bythe loads discharged from the load-receiver; and a closer-blockingdevice operated bythe regulator and thrown into workin g position toengage the closer-shutting actuator on the shifting movement of theregulator.

22. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a closer pivoted to the load-receiver and provided with acounterweighted actuator for shutting the same; a regulator shiftablesuccessively by the loads discharged; and a closer-blocking deviceconnected with the regulator and thrown into Working position on theshutting movement of the regulator, said blocking device being mountedon the framework and having a stop portion adapted to engage thecounterweight of the closer.

23. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of means involving a latch for governing the discharge ot the load fromsaid load-receiver; a regulator supported independently of the weighingmechanism and shiitable successively by the loads discharged from theload-receiver; an electric circuit including a latch-operating device;circuit-controlling means operative with the regulator; and a shiftablestop adapted to hold the latch against load-releasing movement for apredetermined length of time and while the electric latch-operatingdevice is being energized.

2i. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a closer for said load-receiver; a regulator shiftable successivelyby the loads discharged; an angular plate secured to the regulator; acloserblocking device; and connections between the regulator and thecloser-blocking device for opening the latter on the shifting movementof the closer.

25. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a closer for said load-receiver; a dischargehopper having an inclinedwall; a regulator supported for oscillation and iitting against theinclined wall; an angular plate fixed to the regulator; acloser-blocking device; and connections between the regulator and thecloserblocking device 'for operating the latter on the shifting movementof the regulator.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS.

Witnesses:

F. N. CHASE, Jenn O. Sumner.

IIO

